When I awoke Thursday morning at 3:30am, I got out of bed, rather than lie there trying to get back to sleep and looked through photographs I had taken the previous day. At day break, I looked out the window at the Thompson River raging next to the resort we stayed at. As you can see from a photo I took minutes before we escaped, the river had taken over the pool and hot tub. After calling the front desk a couple of times with my concerns with the rising water, they called our room and said we were in pre-evacuation mode…be ready. My friend Gina and I made the decision to “get the heck out of there”, rather than wait until it was too late to leave! So we packed the car in the rain and drove to the road/bridge pictured in the photo below. By this point there was a yellow “do not cross” tape blocking the way and I asked the resort manager (who was sitting in a golf cart by the bridge) if we could cross at our own risk. He said “no” and told us where the only other road out of the resort was located. I drove over there and headed to Trail Ridge Road into the Rocky Mountain National Park. One section of a road had a couple of inches of water running across a 12 foot wide section. I made the decision to drive across it.
Trail Ridge Road was beautiful! It took less than an hour and one-half to get to Grand Lake, where we stayed for the evening. We stopped a few times for photo opportunities. The wind blew our umbrella into the upside down position, which made for a cute photo. And the rainbow just added that bit of magic!
The sun came out! We stopped for a 5 minute break and discovered this beautiful small lake set off of the road.
The scenery was breathtaking…
I can’t wait to show you photographs from Grand Lake! It is absolutely stunning!
We realize that people have died from the flooding, homes have been ruined, and lives changed forever because of this terrible flooding. We also feel lucky that we were able to escape and have fun on our vacation in spite of everything.
Related articles
- Flooded Estes Park roads begin crumbling, forcing evacuations (denverpost.com)
- People rescued by helicopters from Colo. flooding (cnsnews.com)
- Trail Ridge Road in the Rocky Mountain National Park / Estes Park, Coloraco (reinertgj.wordpress.com)
- Man Chronicles Escape From Big Thompson Flooding (denver.cbslocal.com)
- Rescues accelerate as floodwater inundates Colo. (mysanantonio.com)
- Rocky Mountain National Park Closes Down Due To Flooding (denver.cbslocal.com)
- Estes Park Devastated By Flooding (denver.cbslocal.com)
- My Heart Breaks for You, Estes Park (webcentrick.wordpress.com)
Sherry Lachelle Travels 
Oh, wow! I’m glad to made the decision to get out of there! Smart girl!
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Thanks!
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I’m glad you are safe.
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Thanks Michelle!
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You were really lucky to be able to escape unharmed!
Best regards from southern Texas,
Pit
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We were lucky! Thanks Pit.
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Pingback: Grand Lake, Colorado is the best kept secret in Colorado! | Fabulous 50's
Beautiful scenery and photos. Glad you were ok but so sorry for those who lost lives and homes.
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Thanks Sherri…there are so many people still missing…very sad.
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I’m so glad you and Gina made it out of there safely. People often underestimate the power of water.
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Thank you! Yes…people do.
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Your pictures are stunning! I remember another time it flooded right by where you were staying, about in 1976 — I was there the year after and saw a lot of the news footage, books and articles from the Thompson River flood. It can be devastating — I’m glad you got out of harm’s way when you did and are enjoying yourselves!
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Thanks! I read about the 1976 flood also. We’re in Denver now.
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I was worried about you when I watched the news yesterday & then I was relieved when I read your post last night. Thank-you for updating us! You always find the silver lining in the cloud……so happy that you looked at this as an adventure. When life gives you lemons….you must make limoncello! Be safe & continue to have FUN!!!
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Sherry, I love the photo of you with the inside out umbrella!
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Thanks Sherry! We’re doing well…in Denver now.
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Beautiful pictures Sherry. I was born and raised in Boulder and have spent many happy times hiking etc in those areas. You really captured the beauty. Were you staying at the Eagles Nest Resort in Estes? Glad you made it out safely and that despite the weather you were able to enjoy Colorado.
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Thank you Karin! Wish we could have seen Boulder…that’s where we were supposed to go next.
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Trail Ridge Road is gorgeous, but trying to avoid floods is not fun!! Glad you are safe.
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Thanks Cee!
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You couldn’t have chosen a worse time to visit the area. But then again, it all adds up to what must be an intensely awesome experience. M
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It is amazing!
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Sometimes I just glance at your blog and sometimes I read it over and over. I’ve especially liked the Colorado trip entries, from the detailed planning to this latest. The addition of your photos is always a special treat. I wish I was traveling with you, but please don’t stop. Through you, I am able to see the world, even from the driver’s seat of my NC school bus.
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That’s great! Thanks so much!
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It doesn’t look good… not at all… I guess a lot is to blame the global warming, all aver the world…
However, in fact the photos are very beautiful! I wish you a lovely sunday… Claudine
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Yes…the weather around the world is very erratic! Hope your Sunday is beautiful!
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Glad you made it!
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Thanks John!
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Beautiful scenery once you got out of the flooded areas. That was a close call. You might have been stuck for a while!
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Yes…we were definitely worried about that!
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